Wasim Akram Rates This Pakistani Batsman Over Sehwag in Test Matches

Only a few can match the mastery of Virender Sehwag as an opening batsman in Test cricket. Even David Warner, the Australian with a similar style to the Indian, credits Sehwag for emboldening him to take on the opposition from the start.

However, Wasim Akram rates another batsman over Sehwag who forever changed the meaning of opening in Test matches.

Heaping praises over former Pakistan all-rounder, Shahid Afridi, Akram said it was Afridi who encouraged opening batsmen to play freely from the start.

In Test cricket, Sehwag came later. But, in 1999-2000, Shahid Afridi changed the mindset of opening in Test cricket. Even if I was the bowler I would know that I can get him out but also know that he can hit me for boundaries. He used to hit lose deliveries for sixes at will.

While Afridi made his debut as an opener in Test against Australia in 1998, Wasim Akram revealed that Afridi originally wasn’t a part of the team that toured India in 1999-2000.